Sport

Dean Ryan: Warriors fans are still behind us

DIRECTOR of rugby Dean Ryan believes Worcester Warriors have retained the support of their fans despite dropping down into the Championship.

One of the worst seasons in recent memory resulted in Warriors winning just two of their 22 matches in the Premiership during 2013-14.

However, they improved significantly as the campaign progressed, paying the price for an atrocious start, and were widely praised for their efforts in the closing stages.

One of those occasions was the 28-27 final-day victory over fierce rivals Gloucester at Sixways, watched by a crowd just shy of 12,000.

Ryan, who has overhauled his squad with 17 summer signings, reckons fans could see that progression and will back the new-look Warriors in the Championship.

The Worcester boss said: “A winning team is an easier thing to support but I thought the fans were fantastic in terms of staying with us and understanding what we were doing.

“It’s pointless us all saying what we want but having no platform to go towards it because all you do is keep going round and round in circles.

“I think people understand what we need to do and I thought, towards the end of the season, people got behind the work ethic and commitment, which has been central.

“The Gloucester game at the end was not just the highlight of the season but the highlight for a long time of seeing people giving everything to a Worcester shirt.

“We want to make that more normal and I think people will get behind it and support it as they did last season.”

One of the new recruits is former Harlequins wing Sam Smith and he is equally convinced of the impact the supporters can have on Warriors.

He said: “They still had a strong fanbase last year and, despite the way things were going on the pitch, that shows the quality of fan we’ve got.

“If we can fill out Sixways every week by playing attractive, fast-flowing and exciting rugby and the fans really get behind us and start supporting us, then that’s going to be a huge boost for the lads.

“That will make us look forward to playing at home even more every week so it will be massive.”

The 24-year-old added: “I’ve played against Worcester and their fans have always been very vocal and loud so I think that always helps the boys.

“Hopefully, we can give them something to really cheer and get behind. They can help us build momentum as the season goes on as well.”

Warriors begin their pre-season friendlies at home to Ospreys on Friday (7.30pm).

Comments (4)

Complete rubbish I'm afraid. If rumours are to be believed, then under 3,000 season tickets have been sold. Last time we were in the championship we averaged over 6,000 (and that's excluding the play offs!). This year we will do lucky do average more than 4,000.

Complete rubbish I'm afraid. If rumours are to be believed, then under 3,000 season tickets have been sold. Last time we were in the championship we averaged over 6,000 (and that's excluding the play offs!). This year we will do lucky do average more than 4,000.WS1991

I have not bought a season ticket, but am firmly behind and have complete confidence in what Dean Ryan is trying to do. Therefore, the 'complete rubbish' claim above does not apply if there are a few more non season ticket holders who think the same as me.

I have not bought a season ticket, but am firmly behind and have complete confidence in what Dean Ryan is trying to do. Therefore, the 'complete rubbish' claim above does not apply if there are a few more non season ticket holders who think the same as me.yeller

BTW I have renewed mine and am fully behind the club but attendances show that fans are not still firmly behind Worcester whatsoever. They have steadily dropped for the past 4 or so seasons as people have got completely and utterly fed up with it. I don't see how you can make the argument that the fans are still firmly behind Worcester when the proof is is in black and white in the steadily declining attendances.

BTW I have renewed mine and am fully behind the club but attendances show that fans are not still firmly behind Worcester whatsoever. They have steadily dropped for the past 4 or so seasons as people have got completely and utterly fed up with it. I don't see how you can make the argument that the fans are still firmly behind Worcester when the proof is is in black and white in the steadily declining attendances.WS1991

Some fans will have stopped going because of onfield performances but I suspect that more will have stopped going because of the general economic situation: quite simply they cannot afford to go every week.

If you look at the Premiership attendance figures most clubs have suffered falls in the last couple of seasons, including Tigers and Quins.

Some fans will have stopped going because of onfield performances but I suspect that more will have stopped going because of the general economic situation: quite simply they cannot afford to go every week.
If you look at the Premiership attendance figures most clubs have suffered falls in the last couple of seasons, including Tigers and Quins.Brummagem Bertie

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